Is It the Load That Breaks You or the Way You Carry It: How Demanding Is Endourology?

Michaël M. E. L. Henderickx, Nora Hendriks, Joyce Baard, Harrie P. Beerlage, Daphne T. Boom, Judith Bosschieter, A. Carolien Bouma-Houwert, Jaap D. Legemate, Jakko A. Nieuwenhuijzen, Arnoud W. Postema, Lieske H. Rongen, Brechje L. Ronkes, Matthijs J. V. Scheltema, Tim M. van der Sluis, Peter G. K. Wagstaff, Guido M. Kamphuis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Surgical outcomes are dependent on multiple factors. Besides patient-related or procedure-related factors, several surgeon-related factors contribute to surgical outcomes. The Surgery Task Load Index (SURG-TLX) questionnaire helps to assess the impact of several stressors on the perceived demands of surgeons during surgery. In this study, we evaluate the applicability of the SURG-TLX questionnaire for endourologic procedures and set a first point of reference. Materials and Methods: Between March and August 2022, 15 urologists and urology residents at a tertiary referral center for endourology completed the SURG-TLX questionnaire after endourologic procedures. After data acquisition, all participants were asked to evaluate the applicability of the questionnaire for endourologic procedures. Results: A total of 130 procedures were included between March and August 2022. Situational stress had the lowest median score (3.0/20; interquartile range [IQR] 2.0-7.0) and task complexity the highest (5.0/20; IQR 3.0-8.0). After weighing, the dimensions showed different proportions when compared with the nonweighted scores. Distractions received the highest score (15.0/100; IQR 7.5-32.8), temporal demands (6.0/100; IQR 3.0-12.5), and situational stress the lowest (6.0/100; IQR 2.0-21.0). This was caused by the higher weight that was attributed to distractions (3.4/5), as opposed to task complexity (2.6/5). In the questionnaire regarding applicability of the SURG-TLX, the overall satisfaction (6.0/10; IQR 5.0-7.0) and clarity (6.5/10; IQR 5.0-7.5) were moderate. The user-friendliness and applicability of the questionnaire were rated high (7.0/10; IQR 5.5-8.0 and 7.0/10; IQR 6.0-8.0, respectively) and task load (3.0/10; IQR 2.0-5.0) and time load (2.0/10; IQR 2.0-3.5) low. Conclusion: The SURG-TLX questionnaire is appropriate to assess the different dimensions of workload during endourologic procedures. Furthermore, the perceived workload during endourologic procedures is relatively low.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)718-728
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of endourology
Volume37
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2023

Keywords

  • SURG-TLX
  • endourology
  • workload

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